5 Seconds of Summer return to KC after a decade-long absence
Photo by Sophia Jiabia
Ten years to the day since 5 Seconds of Summer was last in Kansas City, the critically acclaimed and daydream-material boy band returned August 20 to perform at the new Morton Amphitheater as part of their Everyone’s A Star! World Tour.
As an avid concertgoer, 5SOS has been at the top of my must-see list for as long as I can remember. The girl who scream-sang “She’s Kinda Hot” in her parents’ shower, not realizing her dad was already in bed, got to go to the concert and fulfill her Converse-wearing, fanfiction-reading dreams of seeing 5SOS live, and as that girl, I can say it was 100% worth it.
A girl came up to my friends a few minutes before the band came on stage, handing out Luke Hemmings playing cards. I was just tipsy enough off a $30 margarita to think this was the greatest moment of my life.
5SOS kicked off the setlist with one of my personal favorites from their newest album “NOT OK,” a lyrically darker and hypercharged song that was released as the lead single, followed by “No. 1 Obsession” and then two fan favorites from their 2020 album CALM: “Teeth” and “Easier.”
As a burgeoning city girl and hopeful haver of 90s Face (iykyk), hearing “I’m Scared I’ll Never Sleep Again” awoke something in me, and I don’t care what anyone says; it’s a love song.
Photo by Lindsey Post
My one complaint is that, when listening to the setlist, because yes, I am one of those people who prep for concerts, there were four songs from each of the boys’ solo careers. Michael Clifford’s song they added was “enough” from his 2025 album SIDEQUEST, a track that explores deep insecurities and the feeling of never being “enough.” Clifford has been very outspoken about dealing with anxiety and depression, and this was a song I really resonated with. Unfortunately, the band did cut the solo section for reasons I definitely understand, but I had still been looking forward to it. Michael, if you see this, I love that song. Please send me a personal video of you singing it. Thank you so much.
The band did an excellent job of mixing up the setlist with songs off of Everyone’s A Star! and some of their older songs that made them Your Favorite Boy Band, such as classics like “She Looks So Perfect,” “English Love Affair,” and “Voodoo Doll.” In tune with the TikToks I’ve seen joking about how the boys can’t remember their old lyrics to save their lives, they forgot the first verse of “She’s Kinda Hot” and then missed the end of “English Love Affair.” I had been waiting for Ashton Irwin’s accountability solo set to drums, so needless to say I was a bit disappointed, but still very much enthused to have heard any part of the song live.
Halfway through the show, there was an adaptation of the boys doing the Nicole Kidman AMC Theatres commercial, which was supremely enjoyable for my friends and me. I love a band that can have fun and relate to younger crowds, even if they are of unc status now (their words, not mine).
Throughout the concert, more videos were shown, all centered on the theme of being a famous boy band, including talking-head interviews and satirical controversies. I think that since 5SOS has been a band for so long, this was a really great addition to the show.
As an encore, the band came back to perform the title track “Everyone’s A Star!” and the popular song “Youngblood.” To flashing lights and heightened applause, 5SOS exited the stage, and we were thrust into the darkness of the amphitheater.
